Pairing Wines with Your Wood Fired Pizzas

When many of us think of pizza, more often than not we think of cracking up a crisp cold beer on a hot, sunny day. Which, in our humble opinion there is absolutely nothing wrong with. However, did you know you can elevate the humble pizza into something a little more refined and, dare we say it, ‘opulent’. So, for those of you who would rather pop a cork than prize a cap, this article is for you. We will talk you through our perfect pizza and wine pairings…

Margherita Pizza

What better place to start that a classic Margherita. A proper, wood fired Margherita pizza is a thing of beauty, and its simplicity means there’s no hiding place! The fresh flavours of the tomato, aromatic basil and creamy mozzarella pair perfectly with a dry white wine such as a crisp Italian Pinot Grigio. The clean, refreshing flavours of the Pinot Grigio balance out the richness of the cheese and olive oil that you might drizzle over the top of your finished pizza.

Pepperoni Pizza

Next on our list has to be pepperoni. The world’s most popular pizza topping, and one that would unlikely be missing at your next pizza party. That is of course unless you want to run the risk of upsetting your guests! Pepperoni has a bold and spicy flavour, and quite a high fat content which requires a wine that is capable of cutting through. It’s also a delicate balance of pork and beef, meaning we need a wine that marries well with both those meats, as well as the blend of spices of cayenne pepper, star anise, garlic and paprika. There’s certainly a lot going on!

We think Zinfandel does the job perfectly well in standing up to the complexity of flavours in pepperoni. The rich, fruitiness of the wine balances out the spicy and saltiness of the pepperoni really well, without taking away any of the flavours. The tannins in Zinfandel also manage to cut through the fat content of the pepperoni, which gives an overall cleanness to the pairing.

Meat Pizza

Sticking with the meat theme. Whether you’re topping your pizza with spicy Italian sausage, pulled or ground beef, chicken, ham or bacon, sometimes you need a wine that’s capable of standing up to the richness of the meats. We think a red wine such as a Merlot does the job really well. Merlot’s smooth, velvety tannins and fruity, somewhat sweet flavours balance the richness perfectly, especially if there’s a spice element to the pizza as well. If your meat pizza has a sweeter flavour, for example with ingredients like caramelised onions, honey or even BBQ sauce, a Merlot might not be the best option. Rather, we’d recommend a bold Malbec that has a robust structure and deep, smoky undertones to complement the savoury, charred meat.

Pizza Bianca

Classic ‘white’ pizza, often adorned with a creamy base and different kinds of cheeses, such as mozzarella, ricotta, or even gorgonzola. By its very nature, pizza Bianca tends to be incredibly rich and indulgent, and its creamy make-up means you need a drink that cuts through. We like to mix things up when it comes to pizza Bianca and go for a sparkling wine or Prosecco. The light bubbles and subtle acidity of Prosecco cuts through the richness of the pizza and balances out the creaminess and acts as almost a palate cleanser.

Veggie Pizza

Vegetarian pizza tends to have an assortment of vegetables which at times can be confusing on the palate. Whether it’s a combination of peppers, onions, courgette ribbons, olives or mushrooms, there’s often a lot going on. What this tends to result in is, one: a delicious pizza, and two: a sommeliers nightmare! One wine we always turn to when there’s a lot of competing flavours, is Sauvignon Blanc. It’s crisp and high in acidity which complements the sweetness of the cooked veggies. A good quality Sauvignon Blanc really can withstand whatever you throw at it!

Final Thoughts

So, there we have it. The next time it’s your turn to host a pizza party, you can really impress your mates by having a decent selection of wines for them to sample. As well as a bucket of beers as well for the traditionalists out there!

As ever, If you require any information about any oven in the Igneus range, or any accessories to make your pizza making journey a little easier, you can contact us on 01423 575885 or browse our full range of products here.